Adjustable opening size filtration configuration and method

ABSTRACT

An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of the configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/571,633 filed Oct. 12, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery industry, there are often reasons to filter resources being produced. The particulates that need to be filtered are not surprisingly of various opening-sizes depending upon from where and from what type of formation the produced fluid is taken. Determining what opening-size to use in a filter such as a sand screen is a combination of art and science, and is selected based upon such things as drilling logs and experience of the operator. Once a determination is made, the screen having an appropriate opening-size is sourced and deployed. Since the actual opening-size of particulates being produced is not unequivocally known, the opening-size of the screen is sometimes less than perfectly matched. Further, since a formation will change over time, an opening-size that was correctly selected in the first instance may be too big or too small later in the life of the resource recovery operation.

The art would sell receive alternative teachings that improve the correctness of a screen opening-size for a particular operation and further will laud a reduction in the number of different types of screens that must be kept in inventory to satisfy the various needs.

SUMMARY

An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of the configuration.

A screen tool including a tubular, and an adjustable pore size filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the tubular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of layers of material forming a part of the adjustable opening-size filtration configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting the layers of material of FIG. 2 in aligned and misaligned conditions;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of layers of material forming a part of the adjustable opening-size filtration configuration;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views depicting the layers of material of FIG. 4 in aligned and misaligned conditions, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cutaway perspective views of one embodiment of the adjustable opening size filtration configuration used in an embodiment of a screen tool for one embodiment of a downhole system;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration configuration;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial sectional views of another embodiment of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration configuration in misaligned and partially aligned configurations, respectively;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration configuration;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a shifting tool:

FIG. 11A is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration configuration, and FIG. 11B is a side view of an embodiment of a base pipe for the screen tool of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration;

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate various profiles for a J-slot activation of the adjustable filtration configuration embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a J-slot cycle sleeve for a J-slot activation of an adjustable filtration configuration in another embodiment of a screen tool;

FIG. 17A is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration configuration, and FIG. 17B is a side view of an embodiment of a base pipe for the screen tool of FIG. 17A;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of the same filtration configuration in compressed and elongated positions illustrating changes in opening size and diameter;

FIGS. 19A and 19B schematically illustrate an alternate embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration as a part of another embodiment of a screen tool in positions with larger opening-size and smaller opening-size, respectively; and

FIGS. 20A and 20B schematically illustrate another alternate embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration as a part of another embodiment of a screen tool in positions with larger opening-size and smaller opening-size, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an adjustable opening filtration configuration 10 is illustrated apart from any other component that might be used therewith to create a screen tool such as a tubular or base pipe. The configuration 10 in this embodiment comprises a first filtration media 12 and a second filtration media 14 each having a generally tubular shape sharing longitudinal axis 20 and having openings 16, 18, respectively. The openings 16, 18 each have an opening size that may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the openings 16 on the filtration media 12 may all be the same size or may have different sizes, and the openings 16 may be evenly distributed about the surface of the filtration media 12 or they may be variably distributed, with certain areas of the filtration media 12 having a greater concentration of openings 16 than other areas of the filtration media 12. Similarly, the openings 18 on the filtration media 14 may all be the same size or may have different sizes, and the openings 18 may be evenly distributed about the surface of the filtration media 14 or they may be variably distributed, with certain areas of the filtration media 14 having a greater concentration of openings 18 than other areas of the filtration media 14. In an embodiment where the openings 16, 18 are of equal size, if the openings 16, 18 are aligned with one another, an effective opening-size of the configuration 10 is identical to the actual opening-size of each of the separate filtration medias 12, 14. If, however, the openings 16 are in some state of misalignment with otherwise corresponding openings 18, then the effective overall opening-size of the configuration 10 will be smaller than the actual opening-size of the medias 12, 14. In other words, and using the FIG. 1 embodiment as the example, if the openings 16 in the first media 12 are somewhat misaligned with the openings 18 of the second media 14, then if one were to look through an opening 16 in first media 12, that person would see an obstruction in at least a part of the opening 16, that obstruction being material of second media 14 surrounding a part of an opening 18 in the second media 14. The degree to which the opening 16 is obstructed by material of second media 14 dictates the effective overall opening-size of the configuration 10. That is, the effective “pore size” of the filtration configuration 10 is adjustable. The pore size of the filtration configuration 10 when the openings 16, 18 are fully aligned will be greater than the pore size of the filtration configuration 10 when the openings 16, 18 are in any degree of misalignment. While the medias 12, 14 have been described in one embodiment as having openings 16, 18 of identical opening sizes, the same underlying principal of alignment of openings versus misalignment of openings can be used to adjust an effective opening-size result even where the first and second medias 12, 14 have openings 16, 18 with different opening sizes and/or distribution about their respective medias 12, 14. Thus, in each embodiment of the openings 16, 18, the filtration configuration 10 is adjustable in effective opening-size by aligning or misaligning, to varying degree, the openings 16, 18 in the first and second medias 12, 14. The phrases “partial alignment” and “partial misalignment” refer to conditions of the filtration configuration 10 where the openings 16, 18 of the filtration media 12, 14 are not entirely aligned or entirely misaligned.

While two filtration medias 12, 14 have been described for use with the filtration configuration 10, other embodiments of the filtration configuration 10 can include any plurality of filtration medias. Also, in one embodiment, one or more of the filtration media 12, 14 can be configured as a solid walled tubular having the openings 16, 18 formed therein, such as a perforated tubular, commonly known as a “shroud” such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, a small portion of first, second, and third filtration medias 12, 14, 15 are depicted as shrouds 22, 24, 25 each having differently sized openings 16, 18, 19. In FIG. 3, a small portion of first and second filtration medias 12, 14, embodied as shrouds 22, 24, are depicted as having openings 16, 18 of equal size. With further reference to FIG. 3, when the openings 16, 18 are aligned, a maximum effective opening size (or a first pore size) for the configuration 10 is realized, and when the openings 16, 18 are misaligned, the effective opening size for the configuration 10 is decreased (a second pore size less than the first pore size) and a portion of the inner shroud 24 becomes visible through the openings 16 of the outer shroud 22. The degree to which the effective opening size for the configuration 10 is lessened as compared to the maximum effective opening size of the configuration 10 can be adjusted by selectively misaligning the shrouds 22, 24 relative to each other as will be further described below. That is, while only a “second pore size” is described, it should be understood that the filtration configuration 10 can be adjusted to many different pore sizes that are less than the first pore size in the aligned condition of openings 16, 18.

In alternative embodiments, one or more of the filtration media 12, 14 of the filtration configuration 10 can include a woven or mesh arrangement to provide the openings 16, 18 therethrough, commonly known as a “screen” such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B. The screens for the filtration media 12, 14 may be formed with any type of weave and mesh size. With reference to FIG. 4, first, second, and third filtration medias 12, 14, 15 are depicted as screens 32, 34, 35 each having differently sized openings 16, 18, 19. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, first and second filtration medias 12, 14 are depicted as screens 32, 34 with a rectangular weave (for illustrative purposes), each including a first set of wires woven with a second set of wires. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the screens 32, 34 have openings 16, 18 of equal size. When the openings 16, 18 are aligned as shown in FIG. 5A, a maximum effective opening size for the configuration 10 is realized (such that the configuration 10 has a first pore size), and when the openings 16, 18 are misaligned as depicted in FIG. 5B, the effective opening size for the configuration 10 is decreased (so that the configuration 10 has a second pore size less than the first pore size) and a portion of the screen 34 becomes visible through the openings 16 of the screen 32. The degree to which the effective opening size (pore size) for the configuration 10 is lessened as compared to the maximum effective opening size (first pore size) of the configuration 10 can be adjusted by selectively misaligning the screens 32, 34 relative to each other as will be further described below.

In one embodiment of the filtration configuration 10, aligning and misaligning the filtration media 12, 14 relative to each other is accomplished by rotating at least one filtration media(s) relative to the other filtration media(s). As shown in FIG. 6A, the openings 18, 19 of filtration media 14, 15, respectively, are depicted as partially aligned with respect to each other and the openings 16 of the filtration media 12 are depicted as misaligned with respect to the openings 18, 19. In the illustrated embodiment, filtration media 15 may serve as a base pipe 40 upon which the filtration configuration 10 having filtration media 12, 14 is disposed. The combination of base pipe 40 and filtration configuration 10 forms a screen tool 100 that can be part of a downhole system 110 having any number of tools and features for downhole use. As shown in FIG. 6B, by rotating the filtration media 12 with respect to the filtration media 14, 15, the openings 16 of the filtration media 12 can be at least partially aligned with respect to the openings 18, 19 of filtration media 14, 15. Thus, the effective opening size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 10 in the condition shown in FIG. 6B is greater than the effective opening size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 10 in the condition shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 depicts another view of the rotatable filtration media embodiment for filtration configuration 10 in which the rotation of the filtration media 12 or the filtration media 14 is rotated with respect to base pipe 40 and about longitudinal axis 20 of filtration configuration 10 using a rotatable collar 42 having an inner thread 44 engaging with an outer thread 46 on the base pipe 40. Rotating the rotatable collar 42 will rotate the filtration media 12 or 14 fixedly arranged with the rotatable collar 42. When the other of the filtration media 12 or 14 is not fixedly arranged with the rotatable collar 42, then rotating the rotatable collar 42 will only rotate one of the filtration media 12 or 14. Once the desired relative alignment of the openings 16, 18, and 19 is achieved by rotating the rotatable collar 42 and associated filtration media 12 or 14, then a fixation feature 48 such as one or more set screws may be employed to stop the rotatable collar 42 from further rotation, thus fixing the relative alignment of the filtration medias 12 and 14 with respect to the base pipe 40.

The rotation of the filtration media 12 relative to the filtration media 14 in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be accomplished at surface prior to disposing the filtration configuration 10 downhole. In an embodiment where the ability to adjust the relative rotation between filtration media 12 and filtration media 14 is desired while the filtration configuration 10 is disposed downhole, the filtration media 12 and/or filtration media 14 can include a shifting profile and be placed interiorly of the base pipe 15 such that the filtration media 12 and/or filtration media 14 can be rotated by engaging a shifting tool with the shifting profile and then rotating the shifting tool in order to rotate the engaged filtration media 12 and/or filtration media 14.

Another method of aligning or misaligning the filtration media 12, 14 relative to each other includes longitudinally shifting one or more of the filtration media 12, 14 with respect to each other, and with respect to the longitudinal axis 20, to adjust the alignment of the openings 16, 18 with respect to each other. With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an embodiment of screen tool 101 is depicted in which the filtration media 12 is biased in a condition shown in FIG. 8A by a biasing arrangement, such as a spring 50, with the filtration media 12 held between a first end 52 of the spring 50 and a first end ring 56. The second end 54 of the spring 50 is held in place by a second end ring 58. In the condition shown in FIG. 8A, the openings 16 of the filtration media 12 are misaligned with the openings 18 of the filtration media 14. Then, when it is desired to change the alignment of the openings 16, 18, the first end ring 56 is moved longitudinally to push the filtration media 12 and compress the spring 50 between the filtration media 12 and the second end ring 58. A fixation feature 48 such as one or more set screws through the first end ring 56 can be used to fix the longitudinal placement of the filtration media 12 and maintain the alignment shown in FIG. 8B. In one embodiment, the first end ring 56 could be moved longitudinally by threading the first end ring 56 along a threaded member 60. As can be understood by comparing FIG. 8A with FIG. 8B, the pore size of the screen tool 101 in the condition shown in FIG. 8B is greater than the pore size of the screen tool 101 in the condition shown in FIG. 8A (which may be zero in the case of total misalignment). Although not shown, additional compression of the spring 50 could provide greater alignment of the openings 16 with the openings 18 to provide an even greater pore size of the screen tool 101. While spring compression is depicted as increasing pore size of the screen tool 101, in an alternate embodiment, compressing the spring 50 could instead decrease the pore size of the screen tool 101 by increasingly misaligning the openings 16 with the openings 18.

While the longitudinal adjustment of the filtration configuration 10 for screen tool 101 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is achievable at surface, the longitudinal adjustment of the filtration configuration 10 may alternatively be accomplished downhole. Turning to FIG. 9, the filtration configuration 10 of screen tool 102 includes filtration media 14, which may be attached to a base pipe 40, having an interior shifting profile 70. When an alignment adjustment is desired between the filtration medias 12 and 14, a shifting tool 150 (see an embodiment of a shifting tool 150 in FIG. 10) can be run downhole within the interior of the screen tool 102. After engaging a shifting member 152 of the shifting tool 150 with the shifting profile 70, by radially expanding the shifting member 152 into the shifting profile 70, the shifting tool 150 can be moved longitudinally (along longitudinal axis 20) to shift the filtration media 14 (and base pipe 40 in the illustrated embodiment) relative to the filtration media 12. The screen tool 102 further includes a fixation feature to secure the shifted filtration media 14 in place. The fixation feature in the illustrated embodiment includes a snap ring 72 that is trapped in a groove 74 in tubular 76 that supports the filtration media 12. The snap ring 72 is trapped in the groove 74 between the tubular 76 and the base pipe 40 until the groove 78 in the base pipe 40 is aligned with the groove 74. At that point, the snap ring 72 can expand into the groove 78 to prevent the base pipe 40 from returning to the original condition after removal of the shifting tool 150.

Turning now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, an embodiment of a screen tool 103 is shown in which both rotation and some longitudinal movement is used to alter the relative alignment of filtration media. In the illustrated embodiment, an interior base pipe 40 movably holds the filtration media 15 thereon and further includes a wavy slot 80 on an outer circumference that is receptive to a stationary pin 82 held by an outer housing 84 that supports (or is integral with) the filtration media 12. In an alternative embodiment, the pin 82 could be fixed to the base pipe 40 and the slot 80 could be formed on an interior surface of the housing 84. A biasing arrangement, such as a spring 90 can bias the base pipe 40 such that the pin 82 is biased in one of an uphole direction 6 or downhole direction 8. The base pipe 40 further includes an interior shifting profile 86 such that a shifting tool can snap in and rotate the base pipe 40 and filtration media 15. The pin-following wavy slot 80 enables longitudinal movement of the base pipe 40 in the uphole and downhole directions 6, 8, alternatingly with and against the bias of the spring 90 depending on the location of the pin 82 within the slot 80, while the base pipe 40 rotates about the longitudinal axis 20. Different rotated positions of the filtration media 15 relative to the filtration media 14 can create the desired effective opening-size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 10, even while the screen tool 103 is downhole. Additionally, relative alignment of the filtration media 12 and filtration media 14 with respect to each other and the filtration media 15 can be adjusted at surface or downhole using any of the prior described methods. It should be noted that the previously described base pipe 40 may be combined integrally or separately with filtration media 15.

While the embodiment of the screen tool 103 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B employs a slot and pin arrangement adjusted using a shifting tool, other embodiments can employ a biased arrangement to achieve an adjusted alignment of filtration media. Referring to FIG. 12, a screen tool 104 is depicted where a slot 92 for position changing is provided in operative engagement with filtration media 14, such as at a first end of the filtration media 14. Also, a biasing arrangement such as a spring 94 is arranged, such as at a second end of the filtration media 14, such that the filtration media 14 may be cycled to a number of positions based upon an axial displacement of the filtration media 14 followed by biased rebound. These movements interplay with the slot 92 to cause the filtration media 14 to rotate relative to the first media 12 thereby achieving various conditions of alignment and misalignment for various effective opening-sizes (pore sizes) for the filtration configuration 10. One example of a slot profile for the slot 92, a pusher profile (employed to apply force, such as at location 96, to push the filtration media 14 and thus push on the spring 94), and a top view of the filtration media 14, are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 13-15.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a screen tool 105 that employs another embodiment of the pin and slot arrangement where a J-slot cycle sleeve 120 is provided on or integrally incorporated into the base pipe 40 for relative rotation with at least the filtration media 14. The J-slot cycle sleeve 120 includes a J-slot 122 in which one or more pins 124 will follow or be followed. It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the J-slot 122 could be incorporated into a housing for the filtration media 14 (such as outer housing 84 described with respect to FIG. 11A) and the one or more pins 124 could be fixed to and extend radially outward from the base pipe 40. In either case, a biasing arrangement (not shown), such as a spring, would additionally be employed to bias the J-slot cycle sleeve 120 in one of a downhole direction 8 or uphole direction 6. The application of force to the J-slot cycle sleeve 120, whether by a pusher as previously described with respect to FIG. 12 or by a shifting tool 150 engaging with the housing for the filtration media 14, would cause the filtration media 14 to rotate with respect to the base pipe 40.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate another embodiment of a screen tool 106 which employs a J-slot 132, similar to the J-slot 122 of FIG. 16, in lieu of the wavy slot 80 depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Thus, the screen tool 106 of FIGS. 17A and 17B operates in a similar manner as the screen tool 103 of FIGS. 11A and 11B, except that a selection of alignment and misalignment positions of the filtration media 15 with respect to filtration media 14 is more particularly defined by the J-slot 132 where the pin 82 will be biased into end locations 134 of the slot 132 by the spring 90 after the base pipe 40 is pushed into the end locations 136 against the bias of the spring 90. The shifting tool used to engage with the shifting profile 86 need only push the base pipe 40 until the pin 82 engages with the end location 136. Release of pressure on the shifting tool will allow the compressed spring 90 to push the base pipe 40 back to its biased location, while the push pin 82 forces the slight rotation of the base pipe 40 while the J-slot 132 “follows” the push pin 82 at the angled slot portions between end locations 134 and 136, such that the pin 82 is placed in an adjacent end location 136 from its previous location. Subsequent pushes on the shifting tool will continue to cycle the rotation of the base pipe 40 into each successive end location 136. In some embodiments, a final end location 136 may be reached where further rotation of the base pipe 40 is not enabled and alignment between the filtration media 15 and filtration media 14 is fixed. This can be achieved by using an end slot portion in the J-slot 132 that restricts the following of the pin 82 in a manner that would permit further rotation. Such a final condition could correspond to a fully aligned or a filly misaligned condition. While only one J-slot arrangement has been depicted and described in the previous embodiments, it should be appreciated that more than one could also be employed so that differing ones of the filtration medias may be moved relative to the others to achieve a range of effective opening-sizes for the filtration configuration 10. Also, the filtration media 12, 14 could include other alignment adjustment devices for surface or downhole adjustments as previously described.

It is to be understood that the concept of the filtration configuration 10 includes a movement, such as a manual movement, of at least one of the filtration medias relative to the other(s) to achieve a desired opening-size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 10. The movement may be rotational, axial, or a combination of both depending upon desired results. It is also noted that the filtration media 12, 14, etc. may be radially inwardly or radially outwardly disposed of another structure like a basepipe 40, or other tubular. Where the media is radially outwardly disposed, local manual adjustment may be facilitated whereas radially inward placement may favor remote adjustment through a shifting tool or an applied pressure based actuation system. Remote actuation may occur after deployment of the filtration configuration, for example, in a borehole. This allows adjustment of the filtration configuration 10 to different effective opening-sizes as conditions change over time in a borehole, thereby increasing the service life of the filtration configuration 10 and increasing the productive life of the borehole as well. In the event the filtration configuration is adjusted at a surface location, the medias may then be fixed in the proper location with a collar or set screw or similar device. It is further to be appreciated that the filtration configuration could be disposed on its own in some circumstances, thereby avoiding the basepipe or other tubular. Moreover, filtration configurations 10 could also be disposed both radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the basepipe or tubular in embodiments.

In alternate embodiments, referring to FIGS. 18A-20B, another downhole adjustable filtration configuration 210 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the filtration configuration 210 is one that responds to elongation by shrinking or closing openings therein and responds to compression by enlarging openings. To speed understanding, reference is made to woven finger traps often encountered at street fairs. One will recognize that after inserting a finger at each end of a woven tube, removal of the fingers by simple withdrawal will meet with resistance since the woven structure will, when elongated, narrow in its dimensions thereby pinching the finger inside. Escape from such woven finger traps occurs by destruction of the trap or more cleverly by compressing the trap, whose woven form under compression tends to grow in diameter, holding the trap in that position and releasing the fingers. Depending upon how tightly the material of the weave 232 of the filtration media 212 is disposed, openings 216 may exist in some compressed positions of the weave 232 of the woven member 233 or may be reduced or closed in other positions associated with elongation of the weave 232. In addition, the woven member 233 may also be adjusted in torsion by twisting the woven form. In such an embodiment, one end of the woven form would be rotated relative to the other, which may be performed with a small motor or a j-slot, etc. Reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B will help with understanding of the above discussion. This concept is employed in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 19A-20B as the filtration configuration 210.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an embodiment of a screen tool 200, which can be incorporated into the downhole system 110 as previously described. The screen tool 200 includes the filtration configuration 210 positioned radially outwardly of a tubular 240, which may be a base pipe other tubular or housing. Tubular 240 may include ports 219 or other path for fluid flow after being filtered by the filtration configuration 210. In some embodiments, a movable device such as a movable collar 242 can be used to adjust the tension of the filtration media 212, the movable collar 242 attached to a first end of the filtration media 212, and a second end of the filtration media 212 attached to a fixed collar 243, fixed to the tubular 240. A set screw or equivalent fixation feature 248 may be employed to lock the movable collar 242 in place on the tubular 240, thus locking the filtration configuration 210 in the desired filtration condition prior to deploying the screen tool 200. The movable collar 242 may be moved longitudinally by only longitudinal movement, or may alternatively be moved longitudinally by a combination of rotation and longitudinal movement (using a screwing motion) which will applying a torsional tension (or torsional compression depending on direction) to the filtration media 212, thus adjusting the opening size of the openings 216 and adjusting the overall opening size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 210. While only one movable collar 242 is depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the fixed collar 243 could be replaced with an additional movable collar 242 such that the filtration media 212 is adjustable from one or both ends of the filtration media 212.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, a different position of filtration configuration 210 is illustrated with the filtration configuration 210 for screen tool 201 disposed radially inwardly of the tubular 240. This embodiment requires adjustment internally to the tubular 240, which can be accomplished using a shifting tool (see, for example, shifting tool 150 depicted in FIG. 10) engaged with a movable device such as a shifting profile 260. The movement of the shifting profile 260 could be longitudinal or alternatively torsional. Alternatively, movement of one or both ends of the filtration media 212 could be accomplished using an applied pressure system to move a piston (not shown).

Unlike the filtration configuration 10 which requires at least two filtration media to adjust an overall opening size (pore size) of the filtration configuration 10, the filtration configuration 210 can operate using only a single filtration media 212. However, it should be understood that a plurality of filtration media can be additionally employed in the filtration configuration 210 to add further adjustability to the screen tools incorporating the filtration configuration 210. In one embodiment where a plurality of woven members 233 is included, one woven member 233 could be in compression while the other woven member 233 could be elongated. Additionally, or alternatively, an additional woven member 233 could be added to the filtration configuration 210 as a backup.

The embodiments disclosed herein allow for adjustment of an effective opening-size (pore size) for a filtration configuration at a point of use and even after deployed, for example, in a borehole. This substantially reduces the product that a manufacturer needs to keep on hand and materials necessary to meet demand for the multitude of different opening-size filtration requirements the field may have. Due to post-deployment adjustability, the filtration configurations disclosed herein also allow greater well control as sections may be choked off via the filtration configuration or modified in effective opening-size (pore size) many times over the life of the well.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1

An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of the configuration.

Embodiment 2

The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment wherein the first filtration media is selectively rotational with respect to the second filtration media.

Embodiment 3

The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment wherein the first filtration media is selectively longitudinally adjustable with respect to the second filtration media.

Embodiment 4

The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment wherein the first filtration media is selectively adjustable with respect to the second filtration media by movement that follows a path dictated by a J-slot arrangement.

Embodiment 5

A screen tool including a tubular, and an adjustable pore size filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the tubular.

Embodiment 6

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration includes a woven member having a structure such that movement of the woven member in a first direction causes openings therein to close or shrink and movement of the woven member in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the openings to open or grow, and further comprising a movable device configured to move the woven member in at least one of the first and second directions.

Embodiment 7

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the movable device is configured to compress or elongate the woven member.

Embodiment 8

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the woven member is a first woven member, and further comprising a second woven member, the first woven member being extended and the second woven member being compressed.

Embodiment 9

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the movable device is configured to move the woven member torsionally.

Embodiment 10

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration includes a first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting an effective pore size of the filtration configuration.

Embodiment 11

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein one of the first and second filtration media is rotated relative to the other of the first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective pore size of the filtration configuration.

Embodiment 12

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein one of the first and second filtration media is axially shifted relative to the other of the first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective pore size of the filtration configuration.

Embodiment 13

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration is radially outwardly adjacent the tubular.

Embodiment 14

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration is radially inwardly adjacent the tubular.

Embodiment 15

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration is manually adjustable by hand locally or by shifting tool remotely.

Embodiment 16

The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration configuration further includes a J-slot, and sequential positioning of the J-slot corresponds to changes in the pore size of the filtration configuration.

Embodiment 17

The tool as in any prior embodiment further including a shifting profile operably connected to a filtration media in the filtration configuration.

Embodiment 18

The tool as in any prior embodiment further including a collar settable in position to maintain a filtration media in the filtration configuration in a specific state of effective pore size.

Embodiment 19

A method for managing a wellbore including adjusting an effective pore size of the filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment by selectively moving and selectively fixing the first filtration media relative to the second filtration media.

Embodiment 20

A method for managing a wellbore including adjusting an opening-size of the filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment by selectively elongating or selectively compressing the woven member to cause the openings therein to close or shrink or cause the openings to open or grow.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable pore size filtration configuration comprising: a first filtration media having openings; a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of the configuration.
 2. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first filtration media is selectively rotational with respect to the second filtration media.
 3. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first filtration media is selectively longitudinally adjustable with respect to the second filtration media.
 4. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first filtration media is selectively adjustable with respect to the second filtration media by movement that follows a path dictated by a J-slot arrangement.
 5. A screen tool comprising: a tubular; and an adjustable pore size filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the tubular.
 6. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration includes a woven member having a structure such that movement of the woven member in a first direction causes openings therein to close or shrink and movement of the woven member in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the openings to open or grow, and further comprising a movable device configured to move the woven member in at least one of the first and second directions.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable device is configured to compress or elongate the woven member.
 8. The tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein the woven member is a first woven member, and further comprising a second woven member, the first woven member being extended and the second woven member being compressed.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable device is configured to move the woven member torsionally.
 10. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration comprises: a first filtration media having openings; a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively fixable to the second filtration media to adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting an effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
 11. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of the first and second filtration media is rotated relative to the other of the first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
 12. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of the first and second filtration media is axially shifted relative to the other of the first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
 13. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration is radially outwardly adjacent the tubular.
 14. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration is radially inwardly adjacent the tubular.
 15. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration is manually adjustable by hand locally or by shifting tool remotely.
 16. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration configuration further includes a J-slot, and sequential positioning of the J-slot corresponds to changes in the pore size of the filtration configuration.
 17. The tool as claimed in claim 5 further including a shifting profile operably connected to a filtration media in the filtration configuration.
 18. The tool as claimed in claim 5 further including a collar settable in position to maintain a filtration media in the filtration configuration in a specific state of effective pore size.
 19. A method for managing a wellbore comprising: adjusting an effective pore size of the filtration configuration of claim 10 by selectively moving and selectively fixing the first filtration media relative to the second filtration media.
 20. A method for managing a wellbore comprising: adjusting an opening-size of the filtration configuration of claim 6 by selectively elongating or selectively compressing the woven member to cause the openings therein to close or shrink or cause the openings to open or grow. 